Some photos are so compelling, so touching, that it’s difficult to resist them. One such image shows a little kid assisting his father in warming his two preterm twin sisters.

Originally posted on the Danish Facebook group Parents and Birth in Denmark roughly three years ago, it has since been shared and is finding new traction.

Recently, Scandinavian maternity facilities initiated an intriguing new procedure with their newborn patients.

The “skin-to-skin” procedure is used in medicine to keep newborns warm and comfortable, especially those delivered preterm. Because their brains and neurological systems aren’t completely matured, premature newborns are especially sensitive to pain. However, skin-on-skin contact appears to have an analgesic or calming effect, lowering pain responses.

The goal of “Kangaroo care,” as it is often called, is to provide good, reassuring sentiments to the newborns during a vital stage of their development.

According to National Institute of Health research, the approach successfully decreases discomfort in premature newborns.

It is thought that this method helps preterm newborns heal and flourish more rapidly by significantly lowering post-birth stress.

The aforementioned Scandinavian maternity hospitals have had fantastic outcomes in recent years. Premature baby survival has lately climbed from 30% to an amazing 70%.

One snapshot of this procedure in action has sparked a lot of discussion online.

The photo, which was initially uploaded in a Danish Facebook community called Parents and Birth in Denmark, shows a 5-year-old kid assisting his father in the “skin-to-skin” procedure.

This news release has been modified by Foraeldre and Fdsel: TIL PRESSENRevolutionary/unknown practice in Uppsala. …

Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2015 by Forldre og Fdsel

While one of the newborns is on his father’s chest, the little child cradles the other infant twin on his own.

With their eyes closed, it looks to be a calm scenario in which everyone engaged is resting contentedly and enjoying the intimacy and pleasures of this post-birth miracle treatment.

The photograph recently resurfaced on the Internet after being shared on the NINO Birth Facebook page.

Swedish Professor Uwe Ewald discusses kangaroo care in the accompanying text: “Skin to skin contact helps the baby breathe better.” The youngster gets calmer and gains weight more quickly. According to research, the bacterial flora of parents, as opposed to hospital microorganisms, minimizes the incidence of severe illnesses in these vulnerable infants.”

This wonderful, pure photograph warms our hearts, as does such a simple but efficient strategy for parents of preterm kids to use.

Don’t you think it’s both a lovely and significant image? If you agree, please share!

Let us know in the comments what you think of the image and the “skin-to-skin” process!